Dear Doctor K: I'm in good health and I've been sleeping well. But I'm tired all the time. Could my food choices be causing this lethargy?

Dear Reader: Most of us experience some mid-afternoon drowsiness.
But if you feel groggy throughout the day, that could be reason for
concern.
Many diseases cause fatigue; among the more common are anemia and
underactive thyroid.
The impact of food on your energy level is usually minor. Still,
nutritional factors can contribute to fatigue.
Not eating often enough. Eating small meals and snacks throughout
the day maintains your energy level better than eating one or two
large meals. Eating frequently creates a steadier level of sugar in
the blood, with less pronounced peaks and valleys. For most people,
the ideal eating pattern is breakfast, lunch and dinner, with light
snacks in between.
Overeating. A big meal floods your blood with sugar, giving you a
temporary energy lift. But this is followed by an inevitable crash
and feeling of lethargy.
Lack of fluids. Fatigue is one of the first signs of
dehydration. Drink when you're thirsty. Drink extra water if you've
consumed a caffeinated beverage or alcohol. And drink plenty of
water before and during exercise.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Being deficient in some
vitamins and minerals can cause fatigue. The most common
deficiencies are of iron, magnesium, dietary calcium, vitamin B-12
and vitamin D. For most people, deficiencies are easy to remedy with
supplements.
Fatigue-inducing foods. Milk, poultry, corn, brown rice,
chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, bananas, dates and chocolate all
contain a nutrient (called L-tryptophan) that helps you feel relaxed
and possibly fatigued.
We have more information in our Special Health Report, "Boosting
Your Energy." (Learn more about this report at tulsaworld.com/DrK,
or call 877-649-9457 toll-free to order it.)
Write Dr. K at www.AskDoctorK.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130
Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106